South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

South Carolina House Bill H4384 Compare Versions

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11 South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026
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33 Bill 4384
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55 Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter
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77 (Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
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99 A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FARM EXPORT RELIEF AND RESILIENCE ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 59 TO TITLE 46 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FARM EXPORT TRADE RELIEF FUND; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO SUPPORT AGRICLUTURAL PRODUCERS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE; TO REQUIRE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, AND THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TO DEVELOP STATE-SUPPORTED CROP INSURANCE; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARMTENT OF AGRICULTURE TO REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANNUALLY. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Farm Export Relief and Resilience Act." SECTION 2. Title 46 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: CHAPTER 59 Farm Export Relief and Resilience Section 46-59-10. (A) There is established in the State Treasury the South Carolina Farm Export Trade Relief Fund, to be administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. (B) The fund must provide: (1) grants or low-income loans to eligible farmers whose operations have been negatively impacted by federal tariffs, international trade disruptions, or export bans; and (2) emergency working capital assistance for short-term operations, debt-servicing, and crop-transition support. (C) Eligible agricultural producers must demonstrate: (1) a significant portion of their income is derived from exports; and (2) a documented reduction in international market access, pricing, or demand due to federal action. (D) The Department of Agriculture must develop criteria, application procedures, repayment schedules for loans, and award guidelines in consultation with the State Treasurer and the South Carolina Agricultural Council. (E) An initial appropriation of ten million dollars is authorized to capitalize the fund, with additional appropriations as needed. Section 46-59-20. The Department of Agriculture must: (1) partner with regional trade offices and federal agencies to open or expand new international markets for agricultural products of this State; (2) develop and promote value-added agricultural products for export; and (3) host international trade delegations and participate in global trade expositions to elevate the state's agricultural brand abroad. Section 46-59-30. (A) The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Clemson University Cooperative Extension, must develop a proposal for state-supported crop insurance enhancements to better protect farmers affected by trade disruptions. (B) These insurance enhancements may include: (1) premium subsidies for export-reliant crops; (2) supplemental coverage for price loss due to international trade policy shifts; and (3) pilot programs for climate-resilient and market-flexible crops. Section 46-59-40. The Department of Agriculture must report annually to the General Assembly on: (1) fund disbursement and loan repayments; (2) progress in international market development; and (3) recommendations for future trade resilience strategies. SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX----
1010
1111 A bill
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1313 TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FARM EXPORT RELIEF AND RESILIENCE ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 59 TO TITLE 46 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FARM EXPORT TRADE RELIEF FUND; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO SUPPORT AGRICLUTURAL PRODUCERS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE; TO REQUIRE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, AND THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TO DEVELOP STATE-SUPPORTED CROP INSURANCE; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARMTENT OF AGRICULTURE TO REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANNUALLY.
1414
1515 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
1616
1717 SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Farm Export Relief and Resilience Act."
1818
1919 SECTION 2. Title 46 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
2020
2121 CHAPTER 59
2222
2323 Farm Export Relief and Resilience
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2525 Section 46-59-10. (A) There is established in the State Treasury the South Carolina Farm Export Trade Relief Fund, to be administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.
2626
2727 (B) The fund must provide:
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2929 (1) grants or low-income loans to eligible farmers whose operations have been negatively impacted by federal tariffs, international trade disruptions, or export bans; and
3030
3131 (2) emergency working capital assistance for short-term operations, debt-servicing, and crop-transition support.
3232
3333 (C) Eligible agricultural producers must demonstrate:
3434
3535 (1) a significant portion of their income is derived from exports; and
3636
3737 (2) a documented reduction in international market access, pricing, or demand due to federal action.
3838
3939 (D) The Department of Agriculture must develop criteria, application procedures, repayment schedules for loans, and award guidelines in consultation with the State Treasurer and the South Carolina Agricultural Council.
4040
4141 (E) An initial appropriation of ten million dollars is authorized to capitalize the fund, with additional appropriations as needed.
4242
4343 Section 46-59-20. The Department of Agriculture must:
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4545 (1) partner with regional trade offices and federal agencies to open or expand new international markets for agricultural products of this State;
4646
4747 (2) develop and promote value-added agricultural products for export; and
4848
4949 (3) host international trade delegations and participate in global trade expositions to elevate the state's agricultural brand abroad.
5050
5151 Section 46-59-30. (A) The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Insurance and Clemson University Cooperative Extension, must develop a proposal for state-supported crop insurance enhancements to better protect farmers affected by trade disruptions.
5252
5353 (B) These insurance enhancements may include:
5454
5555 (1) premium subsidies for export-reliant crops;
5656
5757 (2) supplemental coverage for price loss due to international trade policy shifts; and
5858
5959 (3) pilot programs for climate-resilient and market-flexible crops.
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6161 Section 46-59-40. The Department of Agriculture must report annually to the General Assembly on:
6262
6363 (1) fund disbursement and loan repayments;
6464
6565 (2) progress in international market development; and
6666
6767 (3) recommendations for future trade resilience strategies.
6868
6969 SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
7070
7171 ----XX----
7272
7373 This web page was last updated on April 23, 2025 at 01:55 PM